by Kariss Lynch, @Kariss_Lynch

My inner critic has been unusually loud during six weeks of shelter-in-place. Days alone in my home can make silence either a welcome companion or an unpleasant roommate. So naturally, we got a puppy to help distract me. 

I finally embraced the silence and sat down to write out all the lies I’m believing about my writing, the lies that are holding me back right now. I’m realizing that these lies in my head belong to something—Someone—much more sinister and out to destroy my stories.

My “Lie List” was compiled of comments made to me over the years, particularly when I first started writing books. And unfortunately, they were made by well-meaning writers or family friends, but the sting has been far-reaching. 

“You need remedial English.” (Said by a professor who didn’t like my perspective on some Jane Austen literature.)

“You’re too young. You don’t have enough life experience to write a book.” (Said by an older woman leading my first Christian writing group after college.)

“You need to quit this pipe dream and get a real job.” (Said by a man who has known me my whole life when I was looking for a publisher for my first book.)

“You need to write more like ___.” (Said by a well-meaning book editor.)

The problem? I highly respect all of these people. Their words have fed that small voice inside me over the years that likes to rear its ugly head during moments of sinister silence. The bigger problem? I let their voices be louder than a greater Someone who made me.

“But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’” Isaiah 43:1

“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

My takeaways from these sacred writings? God created me. I’m made in His image. I belong to Him. He has called me for a purpose and will bring it to pass. He is doing a good work in me. That may or may not mean success in this publishing industry. But it does mean He created me with a voice and a gift. I need to use it. 

He gets the last word. Not the voices of well-meaning people, or the voices in my head shouting that I’ll never be good enough. And His plan is good. Even if I don’t see the results until heaven, I can trust Him.

Wherever you are in this journey, whether you have bought the lies of well-meaning people or created your own lies that are holding you back, I hope you acknowledge the critics and rewrite the narrative today. When the inner critic creeps up, dispel it with truth. You aren’t alone in this crazy writing journey. If you have been called to write, then write. Trust God with the rest.

I’m with ya, friend. You’ve got this.

 

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Shaken

She’s ready to leave it all behind.

Recent college graduate Kaylan Richards has spent her entire life following a plan. Go to school. Get good grades. Do what you love. Love what you do. Only what Kaylan loves requires a sought after internship. She doesn’t want to wait. She wants to help people now. And on the eve of her decision to leave her life-long plans behind, the man she wants to forget walks back into her life.

He’s ready to win her heart.

Navy SEAL Nick Carmichael never dreamed he would love a woman more than he loves serving his country. Now he’s finally ready to win her heart, but this time she’s the one who wants to leave for the most poverty-stricken country in the western hemisphere. And it’s his turn to watch her go.

Something deadly is about to strike.

It’s the worst earthquake Haiti has ever seen. Kaylan is trapped in the aftermath, and Nick is a world away on a mission to catch a terrorist. As they find their way back to one another, Kaylan and Nick must learn that love grown in the midst of tragedy can truly conquer all. But only if they have the courage to fight for it.

Kariss Lynch is the author of the Heart of a Warrior series and loves writing romance about characters with big dreams, adventurous hearts, and enduring hope. In her free time, Kariss goes on adventures with her own personal handsome hero, explores the great outdoors, and tries not to plot five stories at once. Connect with her at karisslynch.com, or on Facebook, Instagram, or Goodreads.